ATHENS – Time is running out to join the historic Authentic Marathon Swim that revives at Artemision 2,500 years later. Amateur and professional swimmers will enjoy the remarkable sporting event, September 4-6, at Pefki, Evia, of the Municipality of Istiaia – Edipsos.

The Authentic Route

For the first time, after 2,500 years, the authentic 10km route will revive with world-class athletes swimming over the shipwrecks of the historic naval battle of Artemision in 480 BC. The demanding route is through the straits of Artemision, connecting Central Greece with Thessaly and the regional units of Evia, Magnesia and Fthiotida. The event, honoring the history of its location, will symbolically award the winners of the routes with a branch of Mavroelia from Artemision or Olive Mavromandila, a monument of nature and local history, one of the oldest olive trees in the world, located in the ancient settlement of Artemision, dating back over 2,500 years.

The Health Protocol of The Authentic Marathon Swim

The event, which has the approval of the Hellenic Swimming Federation, will be held in accordance with the FINA regulations and the health protocol established by event experts, certified by the World Health Organization based on the guidance of the expert scientists-collaborators of the Hellenic Swimming Federation and the epidemiological data and recommendations of Greek General Secretariat of Sports’ Health Committee, aiming towards ensuring the health of athletes and attendees. More information about the health protocol of the event can be found online: https://bit.ly/2YwJKLR.

The Schedule

On Saturday, September 5, 4 PM, action will begin with the 3km open water swimming race, while at 6 PM the 1.5km start will follow. Swimmers will cover the triangular route that has been designed with a start and finish point at Pefki Beach. The warm-up of the athletes will be held by the physical education instructor, Mandy Persaki.

On Sunday, September 6, the event will culminate with the revival of the authentic 10km marathon swimming route. Sofia Psilolignou, the three-time Greek champion in the 5 km and 10 km routes, and two-time English Channel marathon swimmer, will be added to the top names participating in this route. The swimmers will meet at the Pefki Beach’s pier, at 7:45 AM, to be transported by boats to the starting point by 8 AM. The race will start at 8:30 AM with a finish point at Pefki Beach. At 9:30 AM, the 800m children’s race will be held. The full schedule of the event is available online: www.authenticmarathonswim.com/schedule.

The Swimming Routes

All routes of The Authentic Marathon Swim have been designed by the Greek national swimming coach with distinctions in the Olympic Games and world open water swimming championships, Nikos Gemelos. The routes are available online: www.authenticmarathonswim.com/routes.

Registration & Participation Kit Pick-ups

Registration for the 10km route has already ended, while registration for the 3km, 1.5km and the 800m children’s race continue online: https://www.myrace.gr/en/event/2407/registrations.html.

Please note that no registration will be allowed on the day of the races. The event provides the opportunity of delivering the participation kit by courier, before the races, to avoid overcrowding in the registration area.

The event will also provide participants with the opportunity to watch, update and respond to live chat for the races via Viber, Facebook Messenger and sms during the event, to avoid crowds at the registration area, as defined by the GDPR rules on personal data protection.

Among other things, participation kits will include the event’s bag and t-shirt from Luanvi, a swimming cap from Mosconi, towel, tattoo entry number, timing chip and numerous gifts from the event’s sponsors.

All athletes will receive a medal at the finish. Due to the current health conditions no award ceremony will be held.

Check the event’s specially designed page and discover the accommodation packages and special offers which are valid for the participants: https://www.authenticmarathonswim.com/accommodation/.

The Authentic Marathon Swim is held under the Auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization and it is listed in the “Thermopylae-Salamis 2020” Anniversary framework. The event is organized by the Municipality of Istiaia-Edipsos while Active Media Group is responsible for its sports production.

The Authentic Marathon Swim has joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2020 program of the European Commission and is held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports.

The event is part of the swimming community Global Swim Series (GSS).

Hashtag: #authenticmarathonswim

Website: www.authenticmarathonswim.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthenticMarathonSwim

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authenticmarathonswim

Twitter: https://twitter.com/themarathonswim

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYxMgl-j5wgosL10lyRay5Q